NAPLES (March 2) – Naples artist Emily James will share works of art inspired by Naples Botanical Garden on Wed., April 13, 4-6:30 p.m. at a meet-the-artist event at the Garden. The works of art include limited edition Giclees of the original painting Orchid Lake, which was inspired by the Garden’s LaGrippe Orchid Garden, and a collection of Ms. James’s other Garden-inspired paintings. The owner of the Orchid Lake original painting has generously made the artwork available to produce 175 limited edition, 48x30 inch archival pigment Giclee fine prints on canvas. Signed and numbered by Emily James, the Giclees will be available for purchase at the April 13 Garden event and at the Emily James Gallery, 720 5th Avenue South, for $1,600. A portion of proceeds from the sale of the Giclees will be donated to the Garden. Naples Botanical Garden has graciously included a one-year’s membership with the purchase of each Orchid Lake Giclee. Ms. James’s decision to debut the Giclees of the Orchid Lake painting at Naples Botanical Garden reflects her passion for the Garden and long-term support. She and her husband, John James, were the first visitors to the Garden on the morning of July 6, 2020, when it reopened after being closed for months during the pandemic. “We were the first and only two in the whole garden. What fun!,” said Ms. James. Ms. James, a Marco Island resident, is an esteemed artist with a gallery on Naples’ 5th Avenue South and a worldwide reputation. But Naples Botanical Garden is a place that touches her creative spirit and where she derives inspiration for many of her nature paintings. She visits public gardens throughout the world. She says, "Not only are we in Naples blessed to enjoy this subtropical climate, but the vision to concentrate such a fabulous flora collection for locals as well as visitors to enjoy is just spectacular." Ms. James is especially drawn to orchids because, she says, "I feel that they are easy-to-enjoy plants that open the eyes and heart to the love of flowers." Her painting, Orchid Lake, involved numerous trips to the Garden to study the effect of different lighting. She comments that, "My final selection occurred on a late afternoon visit in our Florida sunshine when the light created a translucent glow through the solid white petal." In addition to Orchid Lake, Emily James will exhibit six other paintings inspired by the Garden’s world-class waterlily collection. Emily James is an internationally recognized painter with deep roots in her native Florida (Pensacola). She has received multiple awards for her artwork and has been repeatedly voted for having one of the best galleries in Naples. She is known for versatility, with both realistic and abstract work, yet all of her paintings reflect her unmistakable joy of life, including her landscapes, seascapes, wildlife, abstracts, and contemporary works. She is also in demand as one of the country’s leading commissioned portrait artists. In her Florida paintings, she creates tropical scenes as well as sea and beach paintings. She also specializes in creating custom artwork. Ms. James is especially drawn to the quiet beauty of natural habitats like Naples Botanical Garden, a 170-acre, world-class garden paradise that features plants from around the world. The Garden provides arts, culture, youth and adult education, conservation, wellness, and volunteer programs that contribute to the quality of life in Southwest Florida. The meet-the-artist event is complimentary with every paid adult admission to Naples Botanical Garden and includes wine and light bites. The April 13 event is open to all Naples Botanical Garden visitors and reservations are not necessary. For more information about Orchid Lake, visit EmilyJamesArt.com/OrchidLake or call the Emily James Gallery at 239-777-3283.